Oral Piercings/ Body Modification
Piercings and ”tongue splitting” are forms of body art and self expression in today’s world, with more and more patients coming in for a routine check-up sporting the trend. However oral piercings, which can involve the tongue, lips, cheeks or a combination of all these, could result in a number of potential health risks. If you are a person considering an oral piercing or a parent with a child who is considering it, it is important to know as much about oral piercing prior to undergoing or allowing it.
As with any puncture wound, pain, swelling and infection can result if not cared for properly. This is because the mouth contains millions of bacteria and other micro organisms- after all, there are more germs in the mouth than there are stars in the sky…. This risk is also increased by touching the piercing site or jewelry with unsanitary hands, consuming unsanitary food or liquid and contact with foreign objects.
Some of the potential complications can include:
- Increased saliva flow causing dribbling
- injury to your gums and teeth
- damage to teeth, crowns and/or restoration (cracks/ fractures)
- speech problems
- chewing difficulties
- problems swallowing
- choking hazard-swallowing of inhaling jewelry
- lingual nerve damage
- calculus formation on the metal surface
- allergic reaction to metal
The selection of jewelry is important. For example, it is a good idea to choose plastic jewelry over metal to decrease the risk of tooth fracture or chipping. If you do have an oral piercing, good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups are crucial to maintaining good dental health. Consider incorporating an anti- bacterial mouth wash into your daily brushing routine and/or after meals.
There is a lot to consider before undergoing an oral piercing. For the best advice and care, book an appointment with one of our friendly dentists here at John Street Dental for an appointment today.
You can book an appointment on-line via the link below.
